They used to call me ‘Barefoot’ – Mbesuma

CHIPOLOPOLO striker Collins Mbesuma has advised young players to be disciplined if they are to succeed in their careers.
And MTN Zambia says the country needs a well structured system to help nurture young talent.

Addressing young players when MTN Zambia donated soccer balls to Nkwazi Youth and Twapia Gunners Soccer academies yesterday, Mbesuma said discipline and hard work is important for any player to succeed.

He said young players should not be disturbed by the challenges they face early in their career because he was once called “Barefoot” for playing football without boots.

“Stay away from bad things if you want to make it. I started my career without any soccer boots. My friends used to call me ‘Barefoot’ but I wasn’t disturbed. The most important thing is to be disciplined. Stay away from beer, drugs and listen to your parents,” said Mbesuma.

Meanwhile, MTN Zambia chief executive officer Charles Molapisi observed that there was need to nurture young talent to create a reservoir for the national team.
Molapisi said stakeholders need to take a leading role in helping to nurture young players instead of leaving it to FAZ alone.

“Zambia has never been short of players. What we need to invest in is a well-structured system that helps nurture young talent. This investment must not be left to the Football Association of Zambia alone but all interested parties as well. MTN Zambia will continue to use its leadership position to help develop local football at various levels,” Molapisi in a speech read on his behalf by MTN Mobile Money manager Wane Ng’ambi said.

He noted that it would be important for MTN/FAZ Super League clubs to establish youth structures to sustain their teams.
Molapisi encouraged other corporate institutions to partner with local Super League clubs, describing the venture as beneficial to both the companies and the clubs.